In relation to electric cars, we are constantly talking about data such as battery capacity, autonomy and even aerodynamics. But what about the weight? We know that lithium-ion batteries represent a significant additional weight to electric vehicles, but there is an even more relevant fact: the weight of the car in relation to its battery capacity, which is what makes it fatter than necessary… and pose a danger.
Cars are heavier than ever
In recent years, much has been said about the trend of electric cars and their overweight, especially since the market trend is clear: cars are heavier than ever and some manufacturers are getting out of hand on this issue.
It is something that affects absolutely all models, even those that have traditionally been featherweights… and that also face to a greater extent (never better said), vehicles that work and are complemented by batteries.
This is the case of electric and hybrid cars, both plug-in and conventional HEVs. And that is where they present themselves directly with the dangers of an accident . We are talking about what is the protection of the occupants and the effect that results when having an impact.
In the event of a collision, the impact will be greater
It’s more; In what has to do with this effect due to their overweight, the consequences of fires are more intense because the batteries burn too well and the fires are more difficult to extinguish. Although no, they don’t catch fire more than combustion vehicles.
This is what the insurer AXA tells us, according to its accident data, which explains that drivers of electric cars have 50% more collisions with their own damage than those with combustion engines.
The culprit is the overtapping effect , which is suffering from more intense acceleration than expected, since it is becoming common to see powers of more than 200, 300 or 400 CV for drivers not used to managing so many high-availability horsepower. The problem is more in their acceleration than braking capacity, where these vehicles have a single-speed automatic gearbox, which is responsible for managing power.
A very heavy car suffers a more aggressive deceleration
Thus, the greater the weight of a vehicle, the greater the inertia and the force of impact. That is why a very heavy car suffers a more aggressive deceleration in the event of an impact than a smaller one. In any case, the zero emission models are subjected to rigorous tests before going on the market. In fact, some tests on electric cars are more demanding than those carried out on combustion cars.
The reason for this important increase in such a short time lies in several factors, such as the batteries , which range between 160 and 600 kg . In general, the greater the energy capacity and autonomy, the greater the weight of the battery. Models with batteries between 6 and 12.5 kWh battery weigh around 100-150 kg for this component. Those with an energy capacity of 60 to 100 kWh, move between 380-600 kg, approximately.
In addition, and as something well to appreciate, is that this general increase in size occurs in all categories, but also due to the incorporation of numerous safety systems that have become mandatory by law, such as ABS, ESP and airbags, among others.